An aspiring football agent who was in the country illegally has been jailed after attempting to use a false passport to get a place on a college course.

A sentencing hearing at Chester Crown Court heard Senegalese Djiby Diouf, 29, of Packsaddle Park, Prestbury, attempted to use a false French passport and identity card to fraudulently apply for a National Insurance number so that he could continue his studies in the UK.

Prosecuting, Simon Duncan told the court that Diouf had attended a job centre on May 15 this year in order to apply for documents which would allow him to work and study in the UK.

He said: “The officer dealing with the case had suspicions when she was handed a French passport in the defendant’s name.

“He also first gave his date of birth as two different years.

“He told her he had the chance of a role of assistant football agent working for his uncle.”

Diouf was given a receipt for the passport and other identification documents and left.

Further tests including an ultraviolet scan confirmed the passport was fake.

On July 31 officers visited his address in Prestbury.

When Diouf answered the door he first gave a false name but later gave his name and said that he was Senegalese.

During interviews with police he said he had made three applications for students visas in 2013 and 2014 but had been refused.

He said he had entered the country illegally and paid a third party £5,000 for the passport and other documents and they had been delivered by post in May 2018.

He said he had studied law for five years in Senegal and wished to continue his studies in the UK by studying English and sports law.

Apology

Diouf pleaded guilty to one count of fraud in attempting to gain a national insurance number and a second of possessing false documentation.

Defending himself via a video link from HMP Altcourse, Diouf, he said: “I am sorry for this. I took a risk and I apologise.

“I applied three times and wanted to study.

“When the officers came, I came to the door. I did not run.”

Judge Simon Berkson sentenced Diouf to six months in prison.

He said: “You wished to better yourself by studying sports law but it is right that we take a dim view of passport fraud.

“As for your immigration status, that will be for the Home Office to deal with.”